This blog will host viewpoints by the editor on various topics, as well as information for the Farwell-Hoffman-Kensington-Donnelly-Herman-Norcross, Minnesota area residents and families, and anyone else on the world-wide web who has an interest in the success and growth of the west central Minnesota area. Farwell, Kensington, Hoffman, Donnelly, Herman, and Norcross are west central Minnesota towns located between the larger towns of Alexandria, Glenwood, Morris, and Elbow Lake.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNIN’, HEAD OUT ON THE HIGHWAY — BUT BEWARE OF YOUR LEAD FOOT!

Grant County Sheriff’s Office to Conduct Enhanced Speed Patrols throughout July

Grant County motorists will face enhanced speed enforcement patrols throughout July. Over the last three years, 2006–2008, speed was a contributing factor in 2 fatalities in Grant County and nearly 400 deaths statewide.

Speed is the most commonly reported contributing factor in fatal crashes. According to Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), speed contributes to about 150 traffic deaths and 7,000 injuries each year. In Grant County a typical 10 mph over the limit speeding ticket can cost $130.

“Speeding motorists are a serious threat to everyone on the road,” says Sheriff Walvatne. “When speed increases, so does the chance for violent a crash.”

More than twice as many speed-related fatal crashes occur on rural roads than major urban roads.

Sheriff Walvatne says with warm weather comes an increase in speeding behavior, an important reminder to motorists in the heart of the summer driving season — the deadliest time on Minnesota roads. He also notes that increased speed does not save much travel time, rather, “your chances of being involved in a crash greatly increase as speed increases.” Traveling at 55 mph versus 45 mph for a 10-mile journey will only save about two and one-half minutes of travel time.

In Minnesota, speeding fines are doubled if a motorist is caught speeding 20 mph or more over the limit, and drivers traveling at speeds of 100 mph or more are subject to a six-month license revocation.

The Safe & Sober effort is coordinated by the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. The campaign is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Death initiative (TZD). TZD is a multi-agency approach to address traffic issues regionally through enforcement, education, engineering and emergency trauma care and response.